Indianapolis, IN (October 31, 2020) - Governor Eric Holcomb signed an executive order Friday extending Indiana's public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until at least December 1, 2020.
So far, this is the eighth extension of the coronavirus emergency initially declared by Indiana's chief executive March 6, 2020 after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Indiana.
A state law enacted in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks entitles vast authority on the governor when he determines the state has been struck by one or more of 30 potential disasters, including a "public health emergency."
The governor is authorized during a disaster to "employ any measure and give any direction" in accordance with the recommendations of the State Department of Health or local boards of health, both of which have a statutory obligation to "do what is reasonable and necessary for the prevention and suppression of disease."
Governor Holcomb's directive for residents to wear face masks in public places is among the powers derived from his emergency declaration is one example.
Marion County, IN (September 25, 2020) - Today, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine, Director of the Marion County Public Health Department provided an update of Marion County restrictions on various activities and current COVID-19 data.
One restriction that won't ease up is the current requirement that taverns, nightclubs and restaurants all close at midnight.
Starting on Monday, September 28, the following changes go into place:
Restaurants, taverns, nightclubs and food establishments can have up to 50 percent indoor capacity and 100 percent outdoor capacity.
Restaurants and taverns will continue to be closed at midnight.
Museum, cultural sites, music venues and other similar businesses are now able to open to 50 percent capacity.
Gyms, fitness centers and similar businesses can also expand to 50 percent capacity.
Live entertainment can resume at taverns, clubs and performance venues with certain social distancing precautions in place. A 10-foot buffer should be maintained between the stage and audiences, as well as audiences social distancing themselves.
Assisted living facilities may be open to indoor visitation.
Funeral homes and churches can have indoor services at 75 percent capacity.
Outdoor services can operate at 100 percent capacity.
Mayor Hogsett said the seven-day moving average rate for all tests has fallen from 5.6 percent at the beginning of the month to 4.8 percent as of Thursday, Sept. 24.
Garden City, MI (September 24, 2020) - Woodworker Matt Thompson of Thompson Woodworks constructed a delightful contraption to help keep the trick-or-treat dream alive for his town. He built a social-distancing safe zip-line so he can hand out candy to kids who come by.
He used a cable and some pulleys to create a line that runs from his porch to a decorated pole near the sidewalk. That way kids can safely take some candy from the attached ghost without having to get close to the house.
But the best part is that this is not just a candy delivery service. It also includes a beer caddy so Thompson can send out some grownup treats too. He hauls it back in with a fishing reel, in a system we’d like to see used on every holiday.
This isn’t the first device someone has come up with to make Halloween 2020 possible. The Wicked Makers YouTube channel released a video for a DIY candy tube.
It’s been a long year, and no matter your age we can all use some treats this Halloween.
Indianapolis, IN (September 24, 2020) - Indiana's six-month effort to combat the coronavirus by restricting personal liberties and business operations is coming to a close.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday he will sign an executive order moving the state to Stage 5 of his five-stage Back on Track reopening plan for at least a three-week period.
At Stage 5, all businesses may reopen to full capacity, including restaurants, bars and nightclubs; gyms, entertainment and cultural destinations may operate at 100% capacity; and there no longer are any attendance limits at sporting events, conventions or community gatherings — absent more stringent local or industry requirements.
The governor still is directing Hoosiers to wear masks, or another face covering, when they are unable to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other people in public places, and businesses can continue requiring every person entering their premises to wear a face mask.
In fact, Holcomb credited voluntary Hoosier compliance with his July 24 mask order for making it possible for Indiana to fully reopen ahead of its neighboring states.
"I know no one wants to wear a face mask. I mean, this is different, especially for Americans and Hoosiers. I get it. It's not my preference either," Holcomb said. "But it's not my preference that the pandemic is on top of us either and follows us around."
"And while our numbers are tracking in the right direction, enabling us to further open up, it's because of this,” Holcomb said while holding up a cloth face mask during his weekly COVID-19 press conference in his Statehouse office.
According to the State Department of Health, Indiana is conducting approximately 15,000 COVID-19 tests per day, with a seven-day positivity rate of just 3.9%.
Data show hospitals have sufficient capacity to treat COVID-19 infections and a force of contact tracers is alerting Hoosiers who have been in close proximity to anyone confirmed to have the coronavirus.
"We have been very Steady Eddie, very methodical, about this. Very data driven. And that's how we'll continue to be," Holcomb said.
At the same time, Holcomb is encouraging Hoosiers to continue doing their part to minimize the potential spread of the virus by wearing masks, regularly washing their hands and routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
He's also asking restaurants and bars to ensure all their customers are seated, and not standing, as well as continuing to follow social distancing practices, even if it means operating at slightly less than full capacity.
"We like the path that we're on, the direction that we're moving," Holcomb said. "But we really have to just underscore how important it is for our citizens and our businesses to continue to make those adjustments and operate in a very safe manner."
"It has a huge impact beyond your personal space."
The governor's order does not immediately change the capacity and spacing restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Indiana's 13 casinos.
Sara Tait, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, said her agency will review Holcomb's forthcoming executive order and listen to gaming industry leaders on how they propose moving forward with steps like reopening poker rooms, given the governor's recommendation that businesses continue promoting social distancing in their operations.
The governor's Stage 5 announcement came exactly six months to the day of his unprecedented March 23 executive order commanding Hoosiers to stay home, except for "essential" purchases and employment, following the initial spread of COVID-19 in Indiana.
Dr. Woody Myers, the Democratic candidate for governor, said it's wrong for Holcomb to take Indiana to Stage 5 when the state needs "more vigilance, not less."
"It was only recently that Indiana had the highest one day total of cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic. With the arrival of autumn, public health experts are warning we can soon expect a significant increase of new COVID-19 cases," Myers said.
"The pandemic isn't going away anytime soon — Gov. Holcomb's decision today is simply wrong."
Marion County, IN (July 23, 2020) - Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett announced new COVID-19 restrictions for Marion County today. The new changes will go into effect tomorrow, July 24.
Masks will remain mandatory. They must be worn in a way that covers the nose and mouth.
Social gatherings cannot exceed 50 individuals, other than religious ceremonies.
Indoor religious ceremonies can operate up to 50% capacity. Outdoor services can continue without restrictions.
Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food will close through at least August 12.
Restaurants will operate at 50% capacity, and all restaurants must close between midnight and 5 a.m.
Personal services such as hair salons and tattoo parlors will be by appointment only.
For K-12 schools, in-person instruction can not begin until August 5.
Gyms will operate at 25% capacity.
No travel restrictions are being made at this time, but travel to states with high virus rates should consider quarantining for 14 days upon returning, the mayor said.
The positive rate in Marion County jumped by 50%. Hogsett said, “Without a response, that trajectory will undo all the hard work we’ve done, have put in, over the past four months.”
Transmission of the coronavirus most often occurred indoors for social occasions, especially the age group 20-30 in gyms, bars and other venues, the mayor said, citing research.
Indianapolis, IN (July 22, 2020) - Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that face masks would be mandatory throughout the state during today's press conference.
Starting July 27, anyone over the age of 8 will be required to wear a face mask in indoor public spaces, commercial entities, transportation services or any outside public spaces where social distancing is not possible.
"The simple act of covering our faces, as odd as it may feel, can help us prevent the transmission of the virus, which is why this is the next prudent step that we as a state need to take," Holcomb said.
In school, masks will be required for any children in third grade or older, as well as faculty, staff, volunteers and anyone else in the school. Masks will also be required for co-curricular and extracurricular activities that do not involve strenuous physical activity.
While not required, it is recommended that children ages 2 to 7 wear a mask as well. While not wearing a mask is considered a Class B misdemeanor, Holcomb said enforcement will not be strict. "Please know that the mask police will not be patrolling Indiana streets," Holcomb said.
Exemptions will be made for the following:
Medical purposes
Strenuous physical activity
Eating and drinking
“I know not everyone will be supportive of this mandate. Compliance and enforcement are always in question. Our approach, if you recall, since Day 1, since the very beginning of this pandemic, has an approach of education, of appealing to one’s civic duty and public good. You might even say public pride and being part of the solution. And it will continue to be.”
Indiana’s mask mandate comes after the neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky begun such mandates. Ohio’s mask mandate begins at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Beech Grove, IN (July 22, 2020) - Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several businesses have begun to require every customer to wear a mask or some type of face covering before entering their establishment, regardless of whether or not it is required by that county, city or state.
Nearly 40 states now require masks in public places, with Alabama, Arkansas and Colorado adding mandates and Ohio requiring masks in a dozen counties. Individual businesses can choose to institute further restrictions, and the National Retail Federation is encouraging retailers to set nationwide mask policies to protect shoppers and employees.
Here is a list of businesses that have announced that customers at all of their locations nationwide will be required to wear masks or some type of face coverings before entering.
Indianapolis, IN (May 19, 2020) BGI - Gen Con, one of the largest conventions in Indianapolis and the largest table top gaming convention in North America is cancelled. Gen Con announced that due to ongoing concerns stemming from the spread of COVID-19, Gen Con 2020 and all Pop-Up Gen Con events for this year are cancelled.
Despite being one of the most popular and successful gaming conventions, the organizers reminded their audience that they are still a small business, and the decision to cancel is very difficult, both “emotionally and financially.”
For attendees who pre-purchased badges for Gen Con 2020, organizers ask that rather than requesting a refund, they instead allow this year’s badge to be applied to Gen Con 2021 instead, as a means to “keep staff employed through these unprecedented times and come back better than ever next year.”
It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of Gen Con 2020. The safety of our attendees, exhibitors & staff are of the utmost importance to us & we cannot in good conscience host a large gathering while doing so could threaten the health of so many. 🧵
As a way to still connect with their audience during quarantine, Gen Con organizers have also announced they will be hosting Gen Con Online – a “virtual convention featuring a slate of events and programming you can attend from the safety of your devices” at home. The event is slated to take place July 30 – August 2, the dates in which the original convention would have taken place.
Gen Con will return to the Indiana Convention Center Aug. 5-8, 2021. Read the original article from Gen Con. Badge holders for 2020 have the option of rolling their badges forward for 2021. For more details go to their website.
Indianapolis, IN (April 13, 2020) - With a lot fewer drivers are on the roads due to the Pandemic, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) plans to close major sections of Interstate 70 in the metro area starting today and lasting throughout most of the summer.
The construction will start with the closure of all lanes and ramps of eastbound I-70 from the North Split to Interstate 465 on the east side of Indianapolis. That work is scheduled to be completed on May 13. The westbound route will close on April 23 and is scheduled to reopen on May 23.
On the east side of Indianapolis and in Hancock County, eastbound I-70 from Post Road to Mt. Comfort Road will be closed from May 26 to July 3. The same stretch of I-70 westbound will be closed from Aug. 3 to Sept. 4. Crossover configurations will be built to carry traffic during the construction.
Work on I-70 between Post Road and Interstate 465 on the east side of Indianapolis will take place from April until October, but no full-time closures are planned.
More people are staying home due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, and that’s provided an opportunity for INDOT to complete planned construction in a relatively short window that otherwise would have taken place throughout the summer without as much disruption to traffic. “Full interstate closures are being used to ensure safety for workers, reduce the overall construction time, and maximize use of taxpayer dollars,” the INDOT statement said.
Mallory Duncan, a spokeswoman for INDOT, said the decision made sense in light of the decreasing traffic the highway is seeing while social distancing guidelines are in place across the state and the country. “We are seeing a reduction of about 40 percent of traffic volume,” she said.
According to INDOT statistics, all traffic was down 39 percent Tuesday, March 30, in comparison with an earlier “base date” of Tuesday, March 3. On the lowest date so far — Saturday, March 28 — total traffic was down 55 percent.
Light-duty vehicles, which include ordinary cars and trucks, have seen a more dramatic decrease than heavy trucks. The decreased levels of driving are continuing around the clock, Duncan said. “We don’t really have any peak hours anymore,” she said.
Duncan said it’s likely some of the decrease comes from people who are no longer commuting into and out of Marion County. The cancellation or rescheduling of major events, like conventions and sporting events, is also a factor. While the construction continues, Duncan advised people who need to travel in the area to plan their route ahead of time.
The construction is part of the Next Level Roads program, which will invest $60 billion in highway construction and maintenance in Indiana over 20 years. The work will be completed by INDOT and partner Milestone Contractors.
